Model letter

I write to bring to your attention the sentencing of 11 workers and labour activists in Sanandaj. They were each sentenced to receive 10 lashes and pay a 2 million rials fine for taking part in a May Day event in 2007.

Sedigh Amjadi, Fars Goilian and Habibollah Kalkani have already received 10 lashes each and were made to pay the extortionate fine before they were released. A further eight workers and labour activists from Sanandaj have also received the same sentence. They are: Khaled Savari, Eghbal Latifi, Yadollah Moradi, Tayeb Mollaee, Mohiuddin Rajabi, Tayeb Chatani, Sedigh Sobhani and Abbas Anadyari. Their sentences are expected to be carried out in the next few days.

I strongly protest against this medieval and barbaric way of punishing workers for trying to commemorate May Day and urge you to use your influence to stop these sentences from being carried out and to bring about the immediate and unconditional release of these workers.

I look forward to hearing about your positive intervention in this regard in the international media.